Research & Survey Guidelines

If you are affiliated with Northwestern University, please visit the Northwestern University website to learn more about submitting a proposal for research in District 65.

For those interested in submitting a research proposal directly to D65, please see the information below:

Step 1: Review our process and begin organizing necessary materials

• Our Research Agenda provides researchers with information about our district's goals and how we hope research will help to accomplish them.
• Please see our Approval Procedures for a summary of the submission and review process. This occurs on a quarterly basis; please see deadlines and schedule below.

Research Proposal Submission Timeline

Research proposals will be reviewed on a quarterly basis according to the following schedule for the 2024-2025 School Year:

Deadline for Submitting Proposals	Review Dates	Response Given By
September 1	September 30	October 15
April 1	April 30	May 15

 

Step 2: Submit proposal via Google Form

• Submit your Research Proposal to help us better understand your project and evaluate its feasibility in the district. Once ready to submit your proposal, please complete this Google Form so we can receive your submission. Written approval or denial of the research request will be provided a few weeks after submission (see calendar above). Please note that submitting a research proposal does not guarantee your project will be approved.

Step 3: If project is approved, submit signed agreement(s)

• You must sign and return a research agreement and/or a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Once this is signed by both parties, research can begin in the district (if conducting in person data collection, background check clearance is necessary, see information below).

Step 4: Complete necessary background checks as appropriate for approved research activities

• For primary data collection, you must pass a background check before interacting with students and/or entering into school buildings. Keep in mind, this may take up to eight weeks to complete by the HR department. We encourage you to get started on this process immediately after receiving the research agreement. 
• For secondary data collection, your data request will be evaluated and put into a queue for processing, with follow up from our office as needed.
• As you implement your research activities you can reach out to our office at research@district65.net, if you have any questions.

Step 5: After completion of your research, submit final reports and, if necessary, a data destruction notice

• Once your research project reaches its end date noted in the research agreement and/or MOU, please submit a report with your analysis results and a data destruction notice (for secondary data collection). If you wish to request an extension, please contact our office at research@district65.net. 

For questions related to any of the outlined steps, please reach out to the RAD department via research@district65.net.

As outlined in School Board Policy 7:15 Student and Family Privacy Rights, any survey requesting personal information from students or used to collect personal information from students, regardless of whether the student answering the questions can be personally identified and regardless of who created the survey, must advance or relate to the District’s educational objectives and in accordance with the board policy must have prior approval. 

Surveys by Third Parties

Before a school official or staff member administers or distributes a survey or evaluation created by a third party to a student, parent/guardian may inspect the survey or evaluation, upon their request and within a reasonable timeframe of request. This applies to every survey: (1) that is created by a person or entity other than a District official, staff member, or student, (2) regardless of whether the student answering the questions can be identified, and (3) regardless of the subject matter of the questions.

Surveys Requesting Personal Information

School officials and staff members will not request, nor disclose, the identity of any student who completes any survey or evaluation (created by any person or entity, including the school or District) containing one or more of the following items: (1) political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian; (2) mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family; (3) behavior or attitudes about sex; (4) illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; (5) critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships; (6) legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships such as those with lawyers, physicians, and ministers; (7) religious practices, affiliation, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent/guardian; (8) income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program. 
Students can opt out by refusing the survey or the parent/guardian can let the principal know in advance in writing.

District Surveys

Panorama Student Survey: A student voice survey that measures student wellbeing, belongingness and engagement. Administered to grades 3-8 in October and May.

5Essentials Survey: The 5Essentials Survey is an annual survey given to students in grades 4–12 across Illinois to gather feedback about their school experiences. Developed by the University of Chicago, the survey focuses on five key areas that research shows are critical for school improvement:

• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environment
• Ambitious Instruction

Students are asked about their perceptions of school climate, teacher-student relationships, instructional quality, safety, and engagement. Their responses help schools identify strengths and areas for growth and are used by districts and the state to inform planning and accountability. This survey is typically administered in January/February.

Questions asked on student surveys

Panorama Student Survey: Grades 3-4 / Grades 5-8
5Essentials Student Survey: English / Spanish